43uuAirbagsuSide AirbagsContinuedSafe Driving■ When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damageBecause the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the sideof the vehicle’s framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, theremay be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enoughimpact to deploy the airbag.■ When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appearssevereIt is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results inapparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was towardsthe far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle’s crushable body partsabsorbed most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not havebeen needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.
